What else could she do? This was her only father, so she had to indulge him.
Perhaps because Shen Xihe's reaction was too transparently perfunctory, Shen Yueshan added, "Youyou, there's a term called—'praising to death'."
Shen Xihe: …
"Father, why do you and Brother place such importance on the Crown Prince?" Shen Xihe was genuinely puzzled.
Logically, she had clearly explained her reasons for marrying Xiao Huayong—it was merely a mutually beneficial arrangement. Yet both Shen Yungan and Shen Yueshan displayed this inexplicable tension. Why?
"Importance?" Shen Yueshan refused to admit it. "Your father and brother simply think he's ambitious and needs careful guarding against."
In truth, it was jealousy. Back in the northwest, Shen Xihe never mentioned any young men besides her father, brother, and the Tao family. But since coming to the capital, an outsider had appeared. From their daughter's lack of resistance to marrying Xiao Huayong, and her calm, gentle demeanor when mentioning him—devoid of affection but not treating him as a complete stranger—Shen Yueshan and Shen Yungan grew worried.
If he could already achieve this much now, once Youyou married him, who knew how far he might bewitch her?
As a father, he didn't wish for his daughter's marriage to be unhappy, but he also didn't want her heart stolen too soon!
"Alright, alright, Youyou will be careful and guard against him." Shen Xihe truly had no way to handle Shen Yueshan and Shen Yungan. "What are your thoughts on this matter, Father?"
When it came to serious matters, Shen Yueshan also straightened up. "This matter is entirely up to your grandfather. I will speak with him tomorrow."
Tao Zhuanxian's choice was almost universally understood. It wasn't solely for Shen Xihe—he had his own ambitions. If he could attain a high position, he wouldn't shrink from it; if not, he wouldn't force it.
However, Tao Zhuanxian only learned at this moment that Shen Xihe was engaged to Xiao Huayong. He had some criticism about this: "How could you agree to this? Do you know the Crown Prince is in poor health?"
In the court, everyone had doubted whether the Crown Prince was truly ill. This concerned many people's choices and future prosperity. They each used their methods and reached the same conclusion: the Crown Prince indeed had a short lifespan.
"This was Youyou's own choice." Shen Yueshan naturally couldn't reveal Shen Xihe's plans. His father-in-law's perspective differed from his and his son's—they hoped that if anything truly happened to the Crown Prince, they could bring Shen Xihe back someday. "Father-in-law, you know Youyou's temperament resembles Aoyin's."
If the father-in-law knew they had such thoughts, he'd probably come at them with a knife. The old man still hoped for a blissful marriage for the younger generation.
"If I had known it would come to this, I should have been a harsh father back then and stopped Aoyin from marrying you." Unwilling to blame his granddaughter, Tao Zhuanxian directed his anger at his son-in-law.
"Then you wouldn't have such a delightful granddaughter like Youyou." Shen Yueshan bowed his head.
"You—" The most frustration Tao Zhuanxian had ever experienced in his life came from Shen Yueshan. The infuriating part was that even while provoking others, he maintained a meek, obedient demeanor like a respectful junior.
Shen Yueshan's impression on him remained unchanged over the years—thick-skinned and impervious to any prodding!
"Father-in-law, don't be angry." Shen Yueshan said. "You still need to stay in the capital to support Youyou for a few more years. With such a temper, I worry…"
"You—" Tao Zhuanxian finally understood why he hadn't brought his granddaughter today—it was precisely to infuriate him. "Get out—""Oh, I shall take my leave now, son-in-law." Shen Yueshan obediently departed.
Tao Zhuanxian was so furious he beat his chest. When Tao Yuan returned, his brother-in-law had already left, leaving their father still seething. After learning the reason, Tao Yuan sneered, "Father, he simply doesn't understand a father-in-law's heartache. Since Youyou is to marry the Crown Prince, you should offer more guidance to His Highness in the future. Let villains be tormented by their own kind."
Tao Zhuanxian immediately felt relieved: "Yes, this method is brilliant!"
Seeing his enemy's enemy as an ally, Tao Zhuanxian decided that once the imperial marriage decree was announced, he would frequently seek closeness with the Crown Prince.
As a grandfather, he felt no jealousy toward his granddaughter and her future husband. Their happiness brought him joy—it was others who should feel displeased!
Unaware that his frequently infuriated father-in-law was secretly plotting to trip him up, Shen Yueshan spent the following days in great contentment. After fulfilling all necessary social obligations, he remained at home daily, accompanying his daughter.
They cooked meals, engaged in casual conversation, discussed the northwest, and reminisced about the past. Each day felt richly fulfilling. If not for the persistently heavy snowfall and his concern for Shen Xihe's health, he would have loved to take his daughter on outings.
Finally, on a clear day, he brought Shen Xihe to the equestrian grounds and personally instructed her in horseback riding.
Soon, it was Shen Xihe's birthday. Though many sent gifts, no one came to offer congratulations in person, for the following day was her coming-of-age ceremony, which they would all attend.
Seeing his daughter approach adulthood filled Shen Yueshan with both pride and sorrow.
On the day of Shen Xihe's coming-of-age ceremony, the weather was remarkably clear. The ceremony was held in the palace, and they entered early.
The Youning Emperor organized the ceremony according to princess protocols. Shen Yueshan initiated the rites, with all court officials and noblewomen gathered in the main hall. Shen Xihe wore plain white robes and slippers, her cascading black hair flowing freely—ethereal, elegant, and enchantingly beautiful.
Xue Jinqiao served as her assistant, entering the hall with her. The principal officiant, chosen by the imperial family, was Princess Ruyang.
First ceremony: Her hair was tied up, and she bowed to her parents before changing into a ruqun dress.
Second ceremony: Hairpins were added, her hair was styled into a bun, she paid respects to her mentors, and donned a quju robe.
Third ceremony: A coronet was placed, her attire adjusted, she kowtowed to the Emperor, and was robed in a long gown.
In the main hall stood a woman in plain silk skirt and wide-sleeved gown, layered in five sumptuous robes. Her coronet was magnificent, her presence as aloof as a white phoenix gracing water. Simply standing upright, she radiated an unearthly, refined beauty.
Ritual wine was presented, heaven and earth were honored, and her courtesy name was bestowed.
Shen Xihe's courtesy name, given by the Youning Emperor, was Siyan.
These two characters, much like when Xiao Huayong was given the name Beichen, carried profound meaning.
"A gentleman embodies four virtues: humility in conduct, reverence in serving superiors, benevolence in nurturing the people, and righteousness in employing them."
The four virtues of a gentleman: treating others with humility, serving the sovereign with dedication, bestowing benefits upon the people, and governing with righteousness.
These were admonitions for rulers. Almost instantly, all eyes shifted between Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe never concealed her interactions with the Eastern Palace, nor did the Crown Prince hide his support for Zhaoning County Princess. By granting her such a courtesy name, was the Emperor implying she was fit to be empress—a role no other woman could rightfully claim?
Xiao Huayong also attended Shen Xihe's ceremony. Standing at the forefront of the imperial princes, dressed in formal robes, he gazed at her with a smiling expression.
Upon hearing Princess Ruyang announce her courtesy name, Shen Xihe instinctively looked toward Xiao Huayong.Their eyes met, and the smile in Xiao Huayong's eyes was like starlight drifting through the galaxy—brilliant and luminous, with no end in sight.
He released his affection amidst the crowd of distinguished guests, without the slightest concealment.
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